Skip to content

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 Verse 4 (5.4)

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 5 Verse 4 (5.4)

साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः । एकमप्यास्थितः सम्यगुभयोर्विन्दते फलम् | | ५-४ | |

sāṅkhyayogau pṛithagbālāḥ pravadanti na paṇḍitāḥ ekamapyāsthitaḥ samyagubhayorvindate phalam

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • साङ्ख्ययोगौ (sankhya-yogau) — ज्ञान और कर्म योग(the paths of knowledge and action)
  • pr joined in pṛithagbālāḥ
  • इति (iti) — इस प्रकार(thus)
  • ag joined in pṛithagbālāḥ
  • बालाः (balah) — अपरिपक्व लोग(the immature speak of them as separate)
  • प्रवदन्ति (pravadanti) — कहते हैं(the immature speak of them as separate)
  • (na) — ज्ञानी नहीं(not the wise)
  • पण्डिताः (panditah) — ज्ञानी(not the wise)
Line 2:
  • एकम् (ekam) — किसी एक मार्ग में स्थिर व्यक्ति(one firmly established in either path)
  • अपि (api) — किसी एक मार्ग में स्थिर व्यक्ति(one firmly established in either path)
  • आस्थितः (asthitah) — स्थित(one firmly established in either path)
  • sam joined in samyagubhayorvindate
  • यः (yah) — जो(who)
  • g joined in samyagubhayorvindate
  • उभओ (ubhayoh) — दोनों का फल पाता है(gains the fruit of both)
  • विन्दते (vindate) — प्राप्त करता है(gains the fruit of both)
  • फलम् (phalam) — दोनों का फल पाता है(gains the fruit of both)

English: Only people who do not understand think knowledge and right action are separate. Wise people know they work together.

💡 Commentary Note

The paths of wisdom (Sankhya/Gyan Yoga) and selfless action (Karma Yoga) are not contradictory, despite appearing different to the uninitiated. A person who is firmly established in either path obtains the fruits of both, as correct understanding naturally expresses itself through selfless deed, and selfless deed purifies the intellect to reveal wisdom.

Learnings from Shloka 4:
  • Unity of Path:: Gyan Yoga and Karma Yoga are two sides of the same coin; they are not isolated or opposing paths.
  • Integrated Practice:: Correct philosophical understanding must be translated into active service, and service must be guided by wisdom.

Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz

Practice this shloka vocabulary

Match Sanskrit words from shloka 5.4 with their Hindi and English meanings.

Practice vocabulary